Jon: The tough part about playing injured is never getting the opportunity to let things heal up. We're trying to be smart about it and take things day by day. I'm listening to the trainers and the coaches, doing my best to stay on top of everything mentally. We're playing it day to day and we'll see how Sunday goes.

The Drive: You're clearly playing hurt but are you playing injured?

Jon: I'd rather not say. It's football, it's part of the gig and in my opinion you're not injured if you're on the field. When you step out there you're agreeing to do a task and get a job done and that's what I've been doing the last few weeks.

The Drive: Hypothetically if you did take a break for a week or two, could that really make a difference?

Jon: No question. It's amazing how much better the body feels from Monday to Wednesday, let alone have 3 weeks to sit back and get treatment, stay on top of everything and work out. I'm definitely one of the guys on the team looking forward to that bye week.

The Drive: What happened on that final drive in Atl?

Jon: People can easily point their fingers but, for me personally, watching the game there's so many different small things--and it's always the small things--that end up ultimately costing you the game or are the reason you won the game. It's unfortunate, man. You go out and have a bad showing against the Giants at home and have another great chance to solidify yourself as in that conversation for being one of the best teams in the league by going down and beating Atlanta in a hostile environment. To be that close and not get it done was definitely something that took a toll on us. I think we rebounded well after we lost to the Giants and I expect the same thing to happen.

The Drive: I talked to two people on the team this week. Both referenced you first as a leader on this football team. People look at you to be the guy to move on from a performance. Are you the guy right now that's sort of responsible for saying "Guys, it was tough and stunk. But it's over."

Jon: Yeah, in this situation it's always hard. But I know I have that C on my chest and there's a certain level of respect there but I have more responsibilities. And having been on both sides of it, being very successful and dealing with tough plays or tough losses. I know that you can make one great play one time and the very next play it doesn't matter what you just did it's about that play. That's how fans look at it, that's how coaches look at it and that's how players should look at it. When it comes to Luke, you wanna love him up because it's contagious. You want him to continue to do that, to enjoy the feeling of making a big play on a big stage and helping contribute to a win.

The Drive: The one thing we've heard from callers is that this defense doesn't have an identity. Why is that?

Jon: When people talk about an identity, it's about what you do in clutch moments. The same could be said for our offense. Whenever you're going to compare teams to old ones or other teams in the NFL, it's always about what you do in those big moments. I think for the most part we've played well, we've played strong but we gotta finish games. For me, more than anything I want to win a game on defense. The Tampa game, obviously the Atlanta game, we had an opportunity to go out and make a play and make a stand and say you know what, Monday's paper might say "Panthers' defense steps up to make a big play and seal a victory." That's something we have to strive for but it all comes down to the small things and paying attention to details. When you're in the fire and you're tired and you're hurting, that's when it's really difficult. Not a practice, but if you can do it consistently in practice hopefully it'll carry over to the field.

The Drive: What have you seen from RR that makes you say "He is in control, he does know what he's doing?"

Jon: It might be hard to realize that Coach Rivera has huge shoulders. When you see him in a press conference, he's such a mild-mannered guy. He's a coach by trade the last 20-25 years in this league but he's a player first. He's a fiery guy and he knows how to get it done. The thing I appreciate about him the most is his military style. You set a goal, and there's a process and you're either gonna be on board or you know what? Get off the train, get off the bus. Because we're moving forward and we're going to win a championship here. Showing up every day to work you know that playoff level performance is the expectation and I think he's doing a great job thus far.

The Drive: What's the team's mindset like this week?

Jon: Anytime you lose like that... the best thing is obviously a win, but a win against an undefeated team, a division foe, arguably the top team in the NFC. You go into that environment and we did the exact opposite of what we've done the three previous games. On offense we've gone 3 and out and on defense given up 7 the first drive. And we did the exact opposite. They go three and out and we scored on the opening drive. It's not time to panic but this is a huge game for us. If we can go 2-3 going into the bye then have another division game in Dallas, we've got a great chance to get back to .500. Then you've got 10 games left, man. It's about who can get hot at the right time.

The Drive: Lots of players are going to be missing Sunday. How can we replace guys like that if you and a few other key contributors can't go?

Jon: The thing that sticks out most recent in my mind is the Packers who won the SB. They had more guys on IR than anyone in the NFL. They still were able to finish 10-6 and go on and win the SB. It can be done and that's why you have guys that are backups and guys that can start in other places. Guys that have been playing special teams are going to have to play special teams and contribute on offense and defense. We have that type of depth. Especially in our room I think we have that kind of depth; even in the secondary at corner. If it comes down to it and if Gamble can't go, if Hangartner can't go, no one's going to feel sorry for them but we've got guys that will have to step up and get the job done if it comes down to that.

The Drive: There have been some tough losses during your career in Carolina. Where does the Atlanta game rank?

Jon: Off the air I said "This one hurts pretty badly." It hurt more so because you're saying "Why not us?" Moreso than just the plays that were made or were not made that ultimately determined the outcome. And that's not a good place to be. Obviously it was right after the game but that's just not the right mentality; that's not the way of being a consistent champ. You don't worry about the why's you stay the process and do what you're supposed to do and that's how you affect the game. But I would have to say second. Obviously that Arizona game, in prime time with all the bells and whistles. It's the type of game that you dream about and to lose the way we did was definitely tough. So this one would have to be second.

Jon picks LSU over Florida and Georgia over USC. Then they go on to talk more college football.

Didn't proof-read, but I did try to stay as close to what Beason said as possible.

This defense will be dope next season. Mark my words. McDerp is going to be shown the door and this defense will be nasty next season. Just a feeling. Not calling it a ring in the bag, just saying I feel like this defense will gel next season and be great if the right coordinator can be hired.

You do realize that sometimes his job is to eat up the FB for someone else to make a play? He did a great job late in the Tampa game of that.

Outside of the start of his very first game in the NFL....he has been solid. Playing in the middle should allow him to pursue better as well with less bodies on him....but even so he has been getting in on tackles at a better rate than Beason.

His instincts are great. Only thing hurting him now has been lack of opportunity. It isn't like Beason was getting off blocks and then whiffing....he was put in position to make plays and simply hasn't

It is going to take Beason another year to work his body back after that type if injury. It was quite simple to understand....except for all of the simpletons on here all off season who actually believed that Beason was somehow beyond human.